It took a minute to get into this book, but it was worth it. Lots of mystery, twists and turns. Nothing in Cordelia’s life is as it seems. Her partner has disappeared and now the police think she killed him. Read to find out what happens!

This was a fast and propulsive read. It hooked me early on and left me paging through as fast as I could. Nicole has a clever way of weaving together a story that leaves you wanting more.

I always love a Nicole Trope read as soon as a new one is released. Compulsive thriller that you will keep reading well into the night as you refuse to put it down, until the jigsaw puzzle of pieces fit together, when revealed in an unsuspecting plot twist. Nicole is a master at this style. Highly enjoyable read.

“A Mother Always Knows” by Nicole Trope is a riveting 5-star read! This second installment in the Grace Morton series is a must-read! The first book was originally titled “The Assistant” and later changed to “Not a Good Enough Mother”. In this story, Grace travels to Melbourne to check on her younger daughter, Cordelia, only to uncover that Cordelia might be in deeper trouble than she can handle alone. With their estranged relationship adding tension, Grace must navigate both her past and present to help her daughter.

I recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate Grace’s fiery backstory and the complexities of her relationship with Cordelia. That said, if you dive straight into this book, Nicole Trope does a great job recapping the key events of Grace’s past. Most chapters are relatively short, making this a fast-paced and engaging read. While some twists might be predictable, they add to the story’s realism rather than feeling far-fetched or implausible.

Another fantastic story by Nicole Trope! I’m already looking forward to her next book.

Thanks to Bookouture, Nicole Trope, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

A Mother Always Knows by Nicole Trope
Grace Morton Book 2
Publication Date December 9, 2024

Oh, this is so good. I can’t get me enough of Grace. I don’t know how, but I really need a book 3!

Cordelia and Garth’s relationship is rocky. Then Garth goes missing, and it seems like Cordelia is responsible. And there is no one to support Cordelia except her estranged mother. How far will Grace go to protect her daughter.

This was so good, and I read it in one sitting. I was cheering for Grace the whole way. This was book 2, and I’d recommend reading Not A Good Enough Mother first.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #AMotherAlwaysKnows in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you @bookouture for approving my Net Galley request.

This was fab. Possibly better than book 1. I was riveted from the start. I really hope there is a 3rd

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Trope, and Bookoture for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. After reading the first book in the series, I was asked to consider reading the second book in the series. While this book can be read as a standalone, it would be beneficial to read the first one prior to. There are several references from the first book, and information that from the storyline that makes more sense if you read book one (Not a Good Enough mother, formerly titled The Assistant). This book has plenty of shorter chapters but was engaging enough to keep me flipping through the book. The characters were developed further in the second book, and we learn so much more about Grace and Cordelia. Grace as usual, is one crazy, un-phased woman and one amazing FMC. The book was pretty predictable up until the final few pages of the book. The twist was unexpected and was very well done. My expectations for this sequel were high and I was definitely not disappointed. Cannot wait for Trope's next book.

Don't miss this one...but be sure to read the first in the series (formerly titled The Assistant, then republished as Not a Good Enough Mother. It will make much more sense as you are introduced to Grace Morton, woman scorned. In this new story we get to know her daughter, Cordelia. She has her own grownup life now in Australia but is still living under the shadow of what her mother did to her life. But nearly everyone needs their mum at some point, right?
This fast-paced twisty drama will have you guessing until the big twist! Whoa--you won't be disappointed in this one. I think I'll reach for Family Across the Street by Trope next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

A Mother Always Knows by Nicole Trope is an excellent, very highly recommended psychological thriller. This un-put-downable novel continues the story of Grace Morton found in the book Not a Good Enough Mother. A Mother Always Knows can work as a standalone novel, but reading Not a Good Enough Mother first will provide more insight into the characters backgrounds.

Cordelia, 24, has been estranged from her mother, Grace, for six years, ever since her father's death. Grace loves Cordelia and still texts her daughter daily. She sees in social media that Cordelia's boyfriend, 33 year-old Garth, makes belittling comments and doesn't treat her daughter like he should. Grace decides to travel from Sydney to Melbourne to be closer to Cordelia. She dons a disguise and manages to get a position as a temporary assistant at the law firm where Garth works so she can check him out.

At the same time, Cordelia is concerned that Garth is having an affair because he always seems to be working or need to go out at night. Now he hasn't been home or work for several days and she is concerned, so she talks to the police. Cordelia quickly becomes the main suspect in Garth's disappearance. Cordelia finally turns to her mother for help and Grace quickly figures out that there is more going on than her daughter realizes.

This is an absolutely superb, suspenseful, and intense psychological thriller that will grab your attention immediately and hold it to the twisty, explosive ending. The pace starts out fast and continues throughout the entire novel. There is so much going on and the tension ramps up with each new secret, lie, deception, and twist along the way. You might have to set some disbelief aside, but you will gladly do it to see what happens next.

Grace and Cordelia are both interesting, fully realized characters. There is a whole lot more to Grace than most people will realize while Cordelia is a little too naive and trusting at times. Trope does an exceptional job portraying a mother's devotion even to an adult child. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

A Mother Always Knows is a ripping read! Well-developed characters, twisty plotlines and a surprise you won't see coming!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I am such a fan of Nicole Trope’s books. Now I’m a fan of Grace! She’s crazy but I am so here for it. There’s nothing she won’t do for her family. I can’t wait for more.

I found this book to be immensely enjoyable, capturing my attention right from the outset. It is a compelling psychological thriller that presents a multitude of unforeseen twists and developments. Having had a favorable experience with "Not A Good Enough Mother," I approached this book with elevated expectations, which it undoubtedly met. I highly recommend it.

Grace was not always the best mother to Cordelia, but she is now ready to make up for it. After Grace burned down her family home with her cheating husband still inside, her daughter completely cut off all communication to her. It has now been 6 years since she last talked to her daughter. But a mother always knows when her child is in trouble. Cordelia's boyfriend Garth has gone missing and Cordelia is the prime suspect. Can Grace repair her relationship with her daughter and keep her out of Jail? This was a fast paced suspense book full of surprises that will keep you guessing until the end.

I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy.

OH. MY. GOSH! Nicole Trope knocked it out of the park with this one! As always, her books are packed with the twist, turns, and lies! I could not put this book down. It was one chapter over and straight to another chapter. I loved how I felt like I knew the characters personally and that every page had me wanting more!

I loved this book. I knew I would, after the last book I read starring Grace Morton. Her daughter gets caught up in the mysterious disappearance of her boyfriend and needs help. Grace is 2 steps ahead and already knew something was off with this boyfriend. Where is he? Who is trying to set up Cordelia? Grace shows a mother’s love can solve any problem. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

A Mother Always Knows by Nicole Trope is a gripping sequel that revisits Grace Morton, a fiercely devoted yet morally complex mother willing to go to any lengths to protect her daughter. This story dives into the fractured relationship between Grace and her daughter, Cordelia, weaving a tale of suspense, secrets, and redemption.

After the events of Not a Good Enough Mother (previously titled The Assistant), Grace and Cordelia have been estranged for six years following Grace’s devastating act of setting fire to their family home, which killed her unfaithful husband. Grace’s daily texts to Cordelia remain unanswered, but she can’t shake the feeling that her daughter is in danger. When Grace learns about Cordelia’s boyfriend Garth, a much older man with a controlling nature and an eye on her upcoming inheritance, she takes matters into her own hands—going undercover at his law firm in Melbourne.

The tension escalates when Garth goes missing, and Cordelia becomes the prime suspect. As Grace steps in to shield her daughter from the police and untangle the truth, the story unfolds with Nicole Trope’s signature red herrings, shocking twists, and deeply emotional stakes.

Grace remains a fascinating character: deeply flawed, cunning, and driven by an unbreakable maternal instinct. Her undercover antics and sharp intuition create a thrilling dynamic, while her fierce love for Cordelia adds a poignant emotional core. Cordelia, too, is given more depth as her vulnerability and resilience come to light.

The pacing is excellent, and the layers of mystery keep the pages turning. While this book can be read as a standalone, reading Not a Good Enough Mother first provides a richer understanding of Grace’s backstory and the motivations driving her actions.

Trigger warnings: emotional abuse, family estrangement, and murder investigation.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Trope, and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this novel. Fans of psychological thrillers and emotionally charged mysteries will find A Mother Always Knows an unputdownable read!

Before you settle down to read this book, do make sure that you have read the book that comes before this one, being ‘The Assistant’ which was published in August 2024 but then at a later date was republished under new title of ‘Not a Good Enough Mother’. The first book covers a lot of the background which if you’ve read it, it’ll make the reading of this book two ‘A Mother Always Knows’ that much more enjoyable. Right now that that is out of the way, on to the review itself.

So ‘A Mother Always Knows’ has been another outstanding story by author Nicole Trope, which is no surprise as all her stories are always brilliantly well written. It was great to be reacquainted with Grace again, but we got to see her under a slightly different light this time and in a different setting, and prepared to do anything to protect her daughter.

I really enjoyed the story and the interaction between Grace and Cordelia, the role of mother and daughter, even though Cordelia was fighting it to begin with. The story gripped me right from the very first page, and throughout there were plenty of shocking, intense moments, not to mention sitting on edge of my seat in anticipation as to what will happen next. There was a couple of red herrings and twists throughout and boy were they good.

Trust me when I say you are in for a treat with this book, you’ll be wanting to cancel life, appointments and even work, so as to sit down and read this book. But do remember to read book one first.

This is the sequel to Not a Good Enough Mother (previously published as The Assistant).
As always, Nicole Trope’s writing is witty, engaging and intense. An entertaining and suspenseful thriller! Great series - looking forward to more of Grace’s escapades!!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When a house fire set by her mother kills Cordelia's father, she refused to have anything to do with her mother, Grace. Nevertheless, Grace finds ways to stay close to Cordelia and help her in any way she can. When Cordelia's partner is murder and she is under suspicion, she finally reaches out to her mother for help. And a mother always knows how to help.

This book had plenty of suspense and complex character development. I have not read Book 1, and it was something of a detriment in enjoying Book 2. Grace frequently refers to another daughter, but the details of the life of that daughters are never made clear in the second book, leaving me feeling that something important was missing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Grace is deeply depressed over her separation from her daughter, Cordelia. She fears that Cordelia’s life is in danger and that her live-in lover, Garth, may be the center of the trouble. Because of Grace's shady past, Cordelia refuses to have anything to do with her.
Things take a turn for the worse when the police contact Grace. Garth is missing, and Cordelia is being charged with his murder. Grace is frantic. Cordelia is not a murderer, but she is clearly in danger, and it appears she is being framed for murder. Is Garth missing? Is he behind this? Is it someone from her mother’s past?